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{
    "id": 463691,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/463691/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 256,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Currently we have the Communications Commission of Kenya. This Commission exercises major control on behalf of the Government through representation, appointment and funding. The reason for this amendment is also to allow making of regulations, whose basis is the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The Commission has to confirm the independence of control under Article 34 of the Constitution. Due to advancement in technology, which has eliminated the traditional distinction between telecommunication and broadcasting, the Commission needs empowerment to effectively discharge its mandate. What is the way forward in this amendment Bill? Parliament must enact legislation that will provide for establishment of an independent and impartial body. What will the body do? In terms of structure, this body must be independent. It must not be under control of Government, political or commercial interests. As I said earlier, it must reflect our diversity and all sections of our society. It must set all broadcasting and media standards. We were here the whole of last week and today setting up financial standards. We have even set up a tax tribunal mechanism. So, we must have standards and a way to monitor compliance within the media sector. In doing that we are complying with the provisions of the Constitution. This Bill intends that the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) will be renamed and known as the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK). The Communication Authority of Kenya will replace the CCK and recruit competitively in accordance with Article 232 of the Constitution, which talks about how recruitment should be done competitively within the public sector. The Authority will have oversight over the Universal Service Fund through the Universal Service Authority Council. Under this amendment, the Government will fund the CCK after it is reconstituted and renamed. Once we pass the amendments, this law will set a very high standard in terms of monitoring and compliance of the media. The law will make sure that this in tandem with the provisions of the Constitution, 2010. With those remarks, I beg to move that the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2013 be read a Second Time. I will ask the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Energy, Information and Communications to second."
}